Dust catcher



May 3E, 1938. c. wHrroN6 JR 2,119,478

DUST, CATCHER F11ed Feb. 12, 1957 s sheets-sheet 1 BY Louis C Pi/H/ro/vr/ ATTORNEYS May Big 1938. L. c. wHrroN. .1R

MN m ww m Z c@ SY, w. o LM W l Patented May 31, 1938 UNITED ASTATES PATENT oFFlcE to Prat-Daniel Corporation,

Port Chester,

N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 12, 1937, Serial No. 125,399

Claims.

My invention relates to a method and apparatus whereby particles suspended in a flowing stream of air or other gas are separated by deecting the gas into a circular or cyclone mov- 5 ment, whereby the particles are thrown centrifugally out of the stream of gas.

In apparatus of this type, the efficiency or effectiveness withv which the particles are separated from the gas is governed not alone by the size or magnitude of the circulating current of air, but also by its velocity. If, therefore, the volume of circulating gases varies widely. and the velocity of the gas in the cyclone or circular movement varies accordingly, the efficiency of separation will decrease with the lower velocities.

My invention overcomes this disadvantage and provides a means whereby the efliciency of sepation may be maintained or prevented from falling very greatly with alterations in the volume of gases being treated, in my invention, the gas to be treated is passed into a cyclone separator of a size suitable for most efficient separation, in which it is deected into a circular path by a curving or cylindrical wall which receives the 25 separated particles and permits them to drop out of the stream of gas and then proceeds to the center or vortex and passes upwardly out of thc separator. If the volume of gases is too large, I preferably separate it into a number of parallel streams, which pass in parallel through separators of appropriate size. Each separator has at its inlet end a velocity control damper hinged at the side opposite the curving plate in such a manner that it may be swung toward the latter, thus narrowing the inlet passage. All of the separators are controlled simultaneously and equally from a unitary station. The swinging of the damper is so related to the volume of gases as to maintain a constant pressure difference be- 40 tween the inlet and outlet of the separators and thus to maintain a constant velocity through the latter. For example, if the volume of gas supplied to the system should decrease, the crosssectional area of the inlet is decreased proportionally or until the predetermined pressure difference is re-established` so that the velocity of the gases passing to and in contact with the curved defiecting surface will be maintained.

For this purpose, the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet to the separators is measured and the opening or closing of the damper is controlled, in accordance therewith. This control may be automatic, the pressure difference operating mechanisms to open or close the dampers as the pressure difference rises or falls.

(Cl. 18S-40) The various features of the invention are .illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a. separating system embodying a preferred form of my I invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the upper part of the system shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modification of the system shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively horizontal sections of individual cyclone separators showing l0 the control damper in different positions; Fig. 6

is a plan and Fig. 7 an elevation of another form of embodiment of my invention.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the air or gas in which suspended particles are l5 to be separated is supplied from a chamber I0 through individual inlets II to a number of cyclone separators I2 arranged in parallel, so that the gases are divided substantially equally among the separators. Each cyclone separator comgo prises a curved wall I3 of involute or circular curvature extending tangentially from the inlet II and terminating after' somewhat less than a complete turn at the opposite or inner side Il of the inlet, as shown more clearly in Figs. 4 and 25 5. After passing through the several cyclones, the exhaust gases pass into the central part or vortex of the cyclone separators and thence upwardly outlet passages I5 into an outlet chamber I6.

In each of the inlets II, tothe respective separators, there is pivotally mounted on the side or wall of the inlet opposite that from which the curved wal] I3 starts. a damper I1 each of which may be swung by an individual arm I8 to 35 any position between the wide open position shown in Fig. 4 and nearly closed position shown in Fig. 5. In these various positions, the damper will proportion the cross-sectional area' of the passage to the volume of gases supplied so as 40 to maintain a predetermined pressure gradient and velocity of gases immediately adjacent the curving wall I3, so that suspended particles may be effectively thrown against the curving wall by centrifugal force. 46

It is to be noted that in the open position of Fig. 4. the damper 17 is tangent to the circumference of the cyclone separator and swings from this tangent position outwardly toward the wall I3 to restrict the passage. By leaving the space 50 within the cyclone uninterrupted by the damper II, the circular movement of the gases is not interfered with and the formation of unnecessary eddy currents is avoided. The damper I1 .will only be swung counter-clockwise past the position anxfcessive amount of gas when the perfect sepoi' Fig. 4 in emergencies toA permit the passage of aration of'the suspended particles milfhe sacriiioed to .the emergency. To maintain uniformity in the .several separators, the 'damper swinging arms I5 are all controlled by a single means. 'I'he form of this means may vary according tothe grouping or arrangement ot the separators. vIn the grouping shown in Fig. 1, in which there are four rows of iive separators each, fourlactuating rods I3, one

for each row are provided and are connected at.

one end to a cross-piece 23. 'I'his cross-piece 20 is in turn connected by a link 2| to the crank 22 of a motor 23, which rotates throughout a limited arc in one direction or the other to swing the crank 22 proportionally to the dampers I1.

The'motor 23 is rotated in one direction or the I other depending 'upon the difference inpressure betweenv the inlet chamber I3 and the outlet or exhaust chamber I6. For this purpose, the pressure in the inner chamber I is transmitted through a pipeA 24 to the upperv side oi a diaphragm 25 in a diaphragm chamberf26, while the pressure in the outlet chamber I6 is transmitted through a pipe 21 to the opposite or underside of the diaphragm 25. The position of the diaphragm will rise or fallin accordance with the variations in pressure transmitted to the opposite sides of the diaphragm. 'Ihese changes in the heightof the diaphragm are transmitted through a connecting rod 23 to one end of a lever 23 pivoted on an upright 30 on the diaphragm chamber and carrying at its other end a three terminal mercury switch 3|. Current is supplied from the main 32 to the central terminal of the switch 3|. A terminal 33 at one end of the switch is connected through a conductor 34 to one terminal of the motor 23. The terminal 35 at the opposite end of the switch 3| is connected through a conductor 33 to the opposite terminal of the motor 23. It will beJ apparent that, when the switch is in midposition, both terminals 33 and 35 will be disconnected from the main 32. When the diaphragm 25 falls, the switch 3| will be tilted to connect the main 32 with the terminal 33 and lthus through the conductor 34V to the motor 23.

As this drop in the diaphragm is caused by an increase in the pressure difference from the inlet to the outlet, the current supplied through the motor 23 rotates the crank arm 22 to the right to open the dampers I1. When the pressure difference falls, the diaphragm 35 will rise, tilting the switch 3|. in the opposite direction and causing current to pass fro'm the main 32 through the terminal 35 and conductor 36 to the opposite terminal of the motor 23 and thus rotate the latter to swing the arm 22 toward the right to move the damper |1 to closed position. Current supplied to the motor 23 returns to the main 31.

The modification shown in Fig. 3 is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2, except that in this system only three rows of ive separators each are shown.' 'Ihe arrangement of diaphragm and switch is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2, but instead of the motor 23,'a piston 38 is operated by pressure fluid supplied to a cylinder l33. The supply and exhaust of pressure fluid to the cylinder 23 is controlled by a pair of electrically operated valves 43 and 4| controlling the supply of iluid through upper and lower pipes 42 and 43,

' respectively. 'Ihe opening oi the valve 40 is controlled by current supplied from the main 32, to the central terminal of the switch 3| and thence through the eng terminal n and conductor u as in Figs. 1 and `2.

Consequently, when the'diaphragm 2l is raised.,

by-a drop in the pressure diii'erential between the inlet and outlet, the making of a circuit between the main 32 and a terminal 33 and conductor 34 energizes the. valve 43 to admit uid to the upper part of the Diston 33 and to move the latter downwardly. The circuit from the valve 43 is completed through the return lwire 44 leading to the return main 45.

As the piston 33 is lowered, it tilts a bell crank lever 43, to one arm of which it is connected by a link 41 and the other nected to one of the damper operating rods 43.

I'he construction is such that, as the piston 33 is lowered, .the rod 43 is pulled to the'right to move the dampers toward closed position. The bell crank lever 43 is connected to a pair of similar bell crank levers 43 and 53 by means of a connecting link` and these bell crank levers 43 and 50 in turn operate damper control rods 52 and 53 of the remaining two rows of separators. 'I'he bell crank levers 43, 43 and 53 may be mounted on suitable framework 54. When the pressure difference increases so as to lift the diaphragm 25 and tilt the switch`3| to the opposite inclination, circuit is made with the main 32 to the opposite terminal 55, thus supplying current through a conductor 53 to the electric switch 4| from which it returns by a return wire 51 to the main 45.

. Pressure iluid is thereupon admitted below the piston,38, lifting the lati :r and swinging the bell crank levers 43, 49 and 50 and thereby swinging the dampers |1 counter-,clockwise to open them still further through the connecting rods 43, 52 and 53.

A manometer 58 is mounted with one of its arms 53 connected to the pipe 24 and the other arm 30 to the pipe 21, so that the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet chambers I0 and I3 may be observed and, if necessary, the apparatus checked or set in accordance therewith. Or, in case of emergency, the damper system may be operated manually in accordance .with the manometer readings.

In the apparatus shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the invention is illustrated as applied to a smaller group or battery of separators.

to an inlet chamber 3| positioned between a pair of outlet chambers 32 and 33. The separators I2 are arranged in two rows of three each, each row receiving gases from the central inlet chamber 6|, one row discharging to the outlet chamber 32 and the other to the outlet chamber 33. For convenience, theI separators of one row may be arranged reversely or in mirrored image relation to those o1' the other.

The arrangement of dampers in the inlets tion to the respective rods 34 and 35. It will thus be apparent that by rotating either of the pulleys 38 or 69 in one direction or the other both pulleys will be operated simultaneously and equally-to swing their respective dampers to the same extent and in the same direction. For this purarm of which is conpose, one of the pulleys B9 is mounted on a manually voperable shaft 1I having an operating handle 12 in convenient position.

One arm of a manometer 14 is connected to the outlet chamber 62 and the other arm 15 is connected to the supply chamber 6I. This manometer, therefore, shows the difference or drop in pressure from the inlet to the outlet and thus indicates changes in velocity. The operator may, therefore, set the dampers in accordance with a reading of the manometer 14. This enables the separator system to be regulated for periods when it is operated under differing, but substantially constant loads.

Through the above apparatus, I have provided a separating system in which any desired volume of gases may be handled in units of the most eiilclent sil.; for separating suspended particles and in which the units of the system may each and all be controlled so as to maintain a substantially uniform velocity of gases against the body of the separators and thereby to maintain a consistently high percentage or eiciency of separation.

What I claim is:-

1. Apparatus for separating suspended particles from gases which comprises a plurality of cyclone separators arranged in parallel, a common supply chamber and a common outlet chamber for said separators, a plurality of inlets from said supply chamber to said separators, one for each separator, each inlet having a damper hinged at its leading edge to the inner side of its inlet to control the area of said inlet, means for moving said dampers simultaneously and proportionally, and control means actuated by the difference in pressures between said supply chamber and said outlet chamber to actuate said damper moving means to'mov the dampers toward or from closed position as the pressure difference between said supply and outlet chambers tends to fall or rise respectively.

2. Apparatus for separating suspended particles from gases which comprises a plurality of cyclone separators arranged in parallel and each having a damper hinged at its leading edge to the inner side of its inlet to swing across the inlet toward and from the tangential surface of the inlet and thus to restrict or enlarge the crosssectional area of the inlet passage, a common supply chamber and an exhaust chamber for said separators, common actuating means to swing the dampers of said separators simultaneously and proportionally toward or from said cyclone surface, a diaphragm actuated en opposite sides by the pressures in said supply and exhaust chambers and a pair of electric circuits energized alternatively by the movement of said diaphragm in one direction or the opposite and means controlled by-said electric circuits to actuate said damper swinging means in opposite directions.

3. Apparatus for separating suspended particles from gases which comprises ra plurality of cyclone separators arranged in parallel and each having a curved deecting surface and an inlet having a damper pivoted at its leading edge to swing toward and from said curved surface to restrict or enlarge the passage of gases thereto, common supply and exhaust conduits for said separators and means controlled by the difference in pressures of gases entering and leaving said cyclones to swing said dampers simultaneously and proportionally toward or from said curved surface.

4. Apparatus for separating suspended particles from gases which comprises a plurality of cyclone separators arranged in parallel, each separator having an inlet, a curved deecting surface extending from one side of said inlet, a damper pivoted at its leading edge at the opposite side of said inlet to swing across said inlet to or from said curved surface to restrict or enlarge the gas passage throughsaid inlet, a common supply and exhaust for said separators, and common actuating means for swinging said dampers simultaneously and proportionally to maintain constant pressure differences between said supply and said exhaust.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said dampers are entirely within said inlets in various positions of adjustment.

LOUIS C. WHITON, Ja. 

